N.J. school elections polls have closed as results counting begins

The polls are now closed in one of the state's most closely watched school elections in recent years and votes are being tallied.

UPDATED COVERAGE:N.J. voters reject school budgets in heated elections
School elections have drawn more attention this year, largely because Gov. Chris Christie has called for cutting $820 million in education aid -- prompting schools boards to severely slash spending, and in most towns propose layoffs. He's been in a war of words with the New Jersey Education Association, the state's largest teachers union.

Joseph Marbach, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Seton Hall University, and a member of the school's political science department, predicted voter turnout could be about 25 percent today, up from the typical 15 percent. He predicted fewer school budgets would pass than in prior years.

"I think there will be more attention to this election than in recent years because of the dispute between the governor and the [New Jersey Education Association]," he said. "I think more New Jerseyans are aware there are elections this year."

Christie said layoffs could be avoided if districts agreed to a wage freeze to their teachers' salaries, and urged voters to reject district budgets that haven't complied to such terms. But many school officials argue that Christie is scapegoating the union for the state's budget problems.

As of Friday, 145 of the state's nearly 600 districts had implemented a pay freeze or cut.

In Roselle Park, a 1.2-square-mile town where many voters walk to polling places in firehouses, schools or the town community center, poll workers said turnout was heavier than usual. Some 68 voters had cast ballots at one polling site, Vincent J. Casano Community Center by about 3:30 p.m., up from the usual handful.

"It's much busier than normal for a school board election," said poll worker Bob Lingenfelter. "It's because of the budget -- the money -- the taxes."

Chris Christie visits Boonton school, praises union for agreeing to wage freezeWhen Gov. Chris Christie issued a budget that heavily slashed public school funding, he threw down the gauntlet for teachers unions to take a hit and reopen contracts to avoid program cuts and job losses. Today, Christie visited one school district that took up the challenge. Boonton schools lost some $1.2 million in school aid. Superintendent Christine Johnson says the district was headed for a minimum of 25 jobs being cut and cuts to school programs when she called an emergency faculty meeting. Less than a week later, a deal was struck with the Boonton Education Association, the union that represents the district’s teachers, secretaries and maintenance workers, that involved a nine-month wage freeze, among other concessions. Speaking outside John Hill Elementary School, Christie praised the union for having the courage to essentially renegotiate its contract and urged other districts to do the same. (Video by Nyier Abdou/The Star-Ledger)

Alexandra Pais/Local News Service Aneta Dubiel, hands her ticket to election worker Bill Lionetti, before she enters the voting booth during school board elections at McManus Middle School in Linden today.